The College Search: Tips and Strategies for Finding the Best Fit Westerville South High School Guidance Department September 6, 2017
Student Services (Guidance) Tammy Hanby A-Di Jennifer Stovall Do-Kh Laura Elliott Ki-Re Justin Ferguson Rh-Z Noelle Spriestersbach Assistance Counselor Dr. Renee Lake School Psychologist
Graduation Requirements Curriculum Requirements English 4 Credits Mathematics 4 Credits Science 3 Credits Social Studies 3 Credits Health 1/2 Credit Physical Education 1/2 Credit Visual/Performing Arts 1 Credit Electives 4 Credits If making up a course outside of WCS, a Credit Flex Application must be completed: http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/docs/district/depts/78/2016%202017%20credit%20flex%20application.pdf
Graduation Requirements Class of 2018 Testing Requirements 18 points on state tests College readiness score on ACT or SAT Industry certification and a work-readiness score on WorkKeys
Upcoming Fall Events WCS Financial Aid Night Tuesday,, September 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Westerville North HS Columbus Suburban College Fair Sunday, September 24 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Otterbein University Learning Disability College Fair Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Gahanna-Lincoln HS (Cafeteria)
Upcoming Fall Events College Exploration Session: Military Options October, Date TBD PSAT for Juniors (Cost: $16) Wednesday, October 11 from 7:25 to 111:00 a.m. at South HS Community Scholarship Night Tuesday, December 12 from 6:30-7:30pm at South HS (Auditorium)
Westerville South College Essay Writing Workshops All workshops will be held after school from 2:15-3:00 p.m. in the I-Studio. September 13 September 20 September 27
Westerville South College Application Workshops All workshops will be held after school from 2:15-3:00 p.m. in the I-Studio. October 3 October 11 October 26 October 31
The College Search Process What is important to YOU and your family? Location Academics Size Campus Appeal Social Life Cost and Aid
3 Simple Steps to Apply 1. Apply to the colleges of your choice. a. Via Naviance b. Via College Website 2. Request Letters of Recommendations a. Step 1: Ask teachers personally b. Step 2: Request via Naviance 3. Request Transcript Via Naviance
Admissions Plans Rolling Early Action Early Decision Regular
Naviance Family Connection Naviance Family Connection is a college and career planning portal for students and families to prepare for postsecondary opportunities and for counselors and teachers to support the college application process. Naviance Family Connection is used for: College research College exploration Transcript submission Scholarship searching Self-discovery assessments Goal setting www.succeed.naviance.com/westervillehsoh **Students logon to Naviance with their student ID number and the password they use to get onto school computers.
Naviance Family Connection PowerSchool Parent Portal
College Exploration
College Exploration
College Exploration
Naviance Family Connection
College Rep Visits
College Rep Visits
Athletic Recruitment Start early and communicate with your coach often. Division 1 and 2 recruitment is much different than Division 3. Must register with NCAA and have ACT/SAT scores sent. Go to eligibilitycenter.org to be sure you meet the requirements and see Mrs. Elliott in Guidance
Teacher Recommendations Most colleges require one to two. Preference given to 11th and 12th grade teachers who teach core classes. Select people who can speak to your academic abilities, character and work ethic. Help them help you! http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs
General College Search Apply to 4-5 colleges Have realistic options Always have a Ohio, public school backup Don t get caught up in your friends search Communication is key, especially between parents and students Keep an open mind Do your research
The College Application Process: Step 1 Create an Account on Common Application or College s Website If Common Application, add colleges you are applying to via the Common Application and then add your high school information under the Education section of the Common Application. Click on My Colleges (on the sidebar), and the Recommenders and FERPA agreement appears. The FERPA agreement MUST be completed in order to request transcripts electronically. Login to Naviance Family Connection Under the Colleges Tab and then Colleges I m Applying To, complete the Common Application Match using the same email you used to register with Common Application.
Common Application: FERPA Agreement
Naviance: Common Application Matching (FERPA)
The College Application Process: Step 2 Add colleges to Colleges I m Applying To under the Colleges Tab in Naviance Family Connection. Click on +add to this list Add each college you plan to apply to
Financial Aid Overview Financial Aid: Funds provided to students and parents to help pay for postsecondary, or college, educational expenses (tuition, housing, meals, books, etc.) Need-based: based on student s and parents finances and living situation Student s income Parents income Parents and student s assets and savings Number of people in household Number from household enrolled in college Merit-based: based on student s accomplishments G.P.A. Standardized test scores Extracurricular activities FAFSA now opens October 1 not January 1!!!! District s Financial Information Night: Tuesday, September 12th @ North 6:30-7:30
Scholarship Opportunities Unions, church groups, cultural groups, fraternities/sororities College Scholarships-This is where the majority of scholarships come from. Please pay close attention to application deadlines and procedures. Check Naviance: Any scholarship information (national and state) that is filtered through the counseling department will be listed on Naviance. Check weekly for updates. Community Scholarships (Westerville): WCS will be hosting a Community Scholarship Information Night on Wednesday, December 12 @ South from 6:30-7:30pm. It is imperative that you attend as a thorough explanation of the application process will be reviewed. Deadline for all applications will be at 3pm on Friday, January 12th.
Typical Deadlines Aug. 01- Applications available October 1 FAFSA opens (use 2016) tax information at www.fafsa.ed.gov) Oct. 01 to Nov. 15 Early decision/early action deadline Nov. 01 Ohio State s scholarship deadline ** Students should aim to have applications completed by NOVEMBER 15th. Dec. 01 Priority scholarship deadline in Ohio Jan. 01 Deadline for Ivy League and highly selective March 01 to March 31 Financial aid packages mailed May 01 National candidates reply date **Financial Aid has changed this year. Please make sure to check the FAFSA priority deadline for all colleges where your child is applying.
Questions? School Counselors (614) 797-6003 Tammy Hanby Jennifer Stovall Laura Elliott Justin Ferguson hanbyt@wcsoh.org stovallj@wcsoh.org elliottl@wcsoh.org fergus0j@wcsoh.org Student Assistance Coordinator Noelle Spriestersbach spriestn@wcsoh.org Connecting students to Additional Supports and Resources: Stress management Mental health support Crisis support Time management & study resources Wellness & life balance skills Connecting students with necessities (food, hygiene products, books, clothes, etc.)